In Australia we accept that everyone has the right to access the most appropriate health care, health information and advice.

In support of this right, Medicare, a national publicly funded universal healthcare scheme, provides free or subsidised health care services to the Australian people.

Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine) has long been shown to be effective in managing a variety of acute and chronic diseases. However, of the fifteen AHPRA registered health professions in Australia, Chinese Medicine is the only profession that has been excluded from the publicly funded Chronic Disease Management (CDM) scheme.

This situation discriminates against Chinese medicine services in Australia and, notably, violates everyone’s basic right to health care in Australia.

In a democratic society like Australia we urge our policy makers to be responsible for maintaining equality and fairness of access for all Australians to have access to the highest possible standard health care and include the practice of Chinese medicine into the CDM scheme.